The Rolla Bus Station — officially Al Rolla Terminal — is Sharjah’s historic city bus terminal in the old city. Run by the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) through its Mowasalat network, it is not one big terminal building: departures are grouped around Rolla Square in the Al Rolla district, the old trading quarter famous for its giant banyan tree, a short walk from Rolla Mall and the old souqs. From here, SRTA city buses run across Sharjah — Sahara Centre, Safari Mall, Muweilah, the airport, Al Saja’a — and one SRTA bus, the 308, runs all the way to Dubai.
Rolla is the old city’s terminal; Al Jubail Bus Station, a few minutes east, is the intercity one. Rolla does have its own Dubai bus — the SRTA 308 to Jebel Ali, which calls at Ibn Battuta Bus Station on the way — but for most Dubai destinations the six RTA E-routes from Al Jubail are more frequent.
| Rolla Bus Station — Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | Al Rolla district, old Sharjah — departure stops around Rolla Square (Rolla Park), beside Rolla Mall |
| Operator | SRTA (Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority) — Mowasalat city network |
| Also called | Al Rolla Terminal / Rolla Terminal |
| City buses | SRTA 1 (Sahara Centre), 3 (Safari Mall), 14X (Muweilah), 15 (Sharjah Airport), 88 (Al Saja’a) |
| Dubai bus | SRTA 308 to Jebel Ali (Parco) via Ibn Battuta — an SRTA bus, not an RTA service |
| Payment | Sayer card or cash on every SRTA bus — Nol cards are not accepted at Rolla |
| First departures | Around 6:00–6:10 AM on the main city routes |
| Last departures | Around 10:00–11:00 PM depending on the route; the route 1 to Sahara Centre runs latest |
| Enquiries | SRTA call centre 600 525252 · srta.gov.ae |
Sharjah City Buses from Rolla (SRTA)
Every bus at Rolla is an SRTA Mowasalat city bus, and every one is paid the same way: the Sayer card (Sharjah’s own smart card) or cash. The standard city fare is AED 6 by Sayer card or AED 8 in cash. Dubai’s Nol card is not accepted on any bus from this station — with only a Nol card, pay cash until you can buy a Sayer card. Five routes use the terminal:
| Route | Where It Goes | Fare | Frequency (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sahara Centre, via Al Jubail, Central Souq, King Faisal Street, Al Wahda Road & Al Nahda | AED 6 Sayer · AED 8 cash | Frequent — every 15–20 min |
| 3 | Safari Mall, via Al Jubail, King Faisal Street, Al Khan & Maliha Road | AED 6 Sayer · AED 8 cash | Every 20–40 min |
| 14X | Muweilah Terminal (express), via King Faisal Street & Maliha Road | AED 6 Sayer · AED 8 cash | Every 16–26 min |
| 15 | Sharjah International Airport, via University City | AED 6 Sayer · AED 8 cash | Through the day — check SRTA for times |
| 88 | Al Saja’a Terminal, via Sharjah Airport | AED 6 Sayer · AED 8 cash | Limited — long gaps possible |
Route 1 is the station’s trunk service: the cross-city run to Sahara Centre on the Sharjah–Dubai border, passing Al Jubail Bus Station, the Central Souq and the Al Wahda Road malls on the way. Listed timings from Rolla run from about 6:10 AM to 11:00 PM on weekdays, making it one of the last buses of the day at Rolla. The 7 and 8 work the same Rolla–Sahara corridor on different paths, so Sahara-bound passengers have a bus every few minutes at busy times.
Routes 3 and 14X are the pair that tie Rolla to the Muwaileh side of the city. The 3 is the all-stops service: it calls at Al Jubail, then follows King Faisal Street, Al Khan and Maliha Road to Safari Mall in Muwaileh, running from around 6:05 AM to about 10:05 PM from Rolla. The 14X is the express version of the same corridor — fewer stops, the same King Faisal Street and Maliha Road path, and the most frequent service at the terminal — ending at Muweilah Bus Station, the terminal for University City.
One more link is worth knowing: the F7 feeder runs directly between Rolla Terminal and Al Jubail Terminal, and routes 1, 3 and 14X all call at Al Jubail anyway — so no intercity trip needs to start with a taxi: ride a few minutes east and change at Al Jubail for the intercity network.
Buses to Sharjah International Airport from Rolla
Rolla has a direct airport bus of its own: route 15, which leaves the terminal along Sheikh Saqr Bin Khaled Al Qassimi Street and University City Road, passes University City, and finishes at Sharjah International Airport. Listed timings from Rolla run from about 6:10 AM to 10:50 PM, at the standard city fare of AED 6 by Sayer card or AED 8 in cash.
The 88 also passes the airport on its way to Al Saja’a, from around 6:00 AM, but it is a limited service with long gaps — a bonus, not a flight connection. One route to be clear about is the 99: the best-known Sharjah airport bus, but it starts at Al Jubail Bus Station, not Rolla. It does call at Rolla Square on its way, so you can board it here — but for a guaranteed seat with luggage, take the route 15 from this terminal or start the 99 at Al Jubail. Route 14 from Al Sharq also passes Rolla Square on its way to the airport.
The Dubai Bus from Rolla (SRTA 308)
Rolla’s one Dubai service is the SRTA 308: a Sharjah-operated bus running between Al Rolla Terminal and Jebel Ali (Parco) in Dubai. From Rolla it calls at Al Jubail, follows King Faisal Street and Al Wahda Street out of Sharjah, then runs down Sheikh Zayed Road to Ibn Battuta Bus Station — where most Dubai passengers get on and off, for the Metro Red Line and Ibn Battuta Mall — before finishing at the Jebel Ali Free Zone gates and Parco. The full run takes around 1 hour 30 minutes depending on traffic. It exists mainly for Jebel Ali and JAFZA-side workers, and it is the only direct bus between Rolla and Dubai.
Three things to know before you rely on it. First, Nol cards are not accepted — the fare, commonly listed at AED 15, is paid in cash or with a Sayer card. Second, SRTA publishes this route far less consistently than its city routes: listings generally show a daytime service, roughly 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM, with buses every 30–60 minutes, so confirm the day’s departures with SRTA on 600 525252 before travelling. Third, do not confuse it with RTA’s E308, a completely different Dubai–Sharjah bus that runs between Stadium Bus Station in Dubai and Al Jubail. The 308 is SRTA’s; the E308 is Dubai’s. If the 308’s timing does not suit you, the reliable alternative is a city bus or the F7 feeder to Al Jubail and one of the six RTA E-routes from there — the full comparison is in our Al Jubail Bus Station guide.
How to Reach Rolla Bus Station
The terminal’s stops are grouped around Rolla Square in the heart of old Sharjah. Rolla Park — the square shaded by the famous giant banyan tree — is the landmark every driver knows, Rolla Mall stands beside the square, and the old souqs, gold shops and budget hotels fill the streets around it. Al Jubail Bus Station is a few minutes east along the same corridor.
By Sharjah city bus: Every route in this guide runs to or through Rolla, and the F7 feeder plus routes 1, 3 and 14X connect it directly with Al Jubail. If you are starting from Muweilah or University City, the 14X and 3 bring you straight here; from Sahara Centre, take the 1, 7 or 8.
By taxi: Taxis wait around Rolla Square and can drop you at the stops from anywhere in Sharjah. Ask for “Rolla” or “Rolla Square” — among the best-known landmarks in the old city.
From Dubai: You have two options. The direct one is the SRTA 308 from Jebel Ali (Parco) or Ibn Battuta, which terminates here. The flexible one is any RTA E-route to Al Jubail (E303, E304, E306, E307, E307A or E308), then the F7 feeder or any Rolla-bound city bus for the last few minutes. There is no Metro station in Sharjah, so every Dubai trip ends with a bus or taxi leg on this side.
Facilities and Tickets at Rolla
Set expectations by the station’s age and role: Rolla is a working city terminal, not a modern interchange building. The departures use stops and bays around Rolla Square with shelters and seating — check which stop your route leaves from before you settle, as the routes are spread around the square rather than lined up in one hall. This is a place to sort your Sayer card: SRTA lists its main terminals, Rolla included, among the Sayer card sales and recharge points, so ask at the terminal before your first ride.
For everything else, the Rolla district does the work: Rolla Mall is beside the square, and the streets around it hold cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, money exchanges and some of the cheapest shopping in Sharjah. Taxis queue at the square, which makes the last short leg to a hotel or an old-city address easy at any hour the buses run.
Tips for Using Rolla Bus Station
- Carry the right card — or cash: Every bus at Rolla is SRTA, so it is Sayer card or cash only. A Dubai Nol card will not work on a single bus from this station, including the 308 to Dubai.
- Do not confuse the 308 with the E308: SRTA’s 308 goes Rolla–Jebel Ali via Ibn Battuta. RTA’s E308 goes Stadium–Al Jubail. They are different buses, different operators, different cards.
- Use Al Jubail for intercity trips: Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Kalba and Muscat buses — and the six frequent Dubai E-routes — all leave from Al Jubail, not Rolla. The F7 feeder or routes 1, 3 and 14X get you there in minutes.
- Board at Rolla for a seat: Routes 1, 3 and 14X start empty here and fill fast along King Faisal Street and Al Wahda Road in the peaks. Starting at the terminal guarantees a seat.
- Know your airport bus: Route 15 starts at Rolla and runs via University City; the 99 only passes Rolla Square on its way from Al Jubail. With luggage and a flight to catch, start from a terminal.
- Check the 88 and 308 before relying on them: Both are limited services with gaps. Confirm departures on srta.gov.ae or with SRTA on 600 525252 rather than simply turning up.
Where is Rolla Bus Station located?
Around Rolla Square in the Al Rolla district of old Sharjah, beside Rolla Mall and the Rolla
Which buses run from Rolla Bus Station?
SRTA city routes: the 1 to Sahara Centre, the 3 to Safari Mall, the 14X express to Muweilah, the 15 to Sharjah International Airport via University City, and the 88 to Al Saja’a via the airport. The SRTA 308 runs to Jebel Ali (Parco) in Dubai via Ibn Battuta, and the F7 feeder links Rolla with Al Jubail Terminal.
Is there a bus from Rolla to Dubai?
Yes — the SRTA 308, from Al Rolla Terminal to Jebel Ali (Parco) via Ibn Battuta Bus Station. The fare is commonly listed at AED 15 in cash or by Sayer card (Nol is not accepted), the run takes around 1 hour 30 minutes, and listings show a daytime service of roughly 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM. It is not the same bus as RTA’s E308, which runs between Stadium and Al Jubail. For central Dubai, the E-routes from Al Jubail are usually the better option.
How do I get from Rolla to Sharjah International Airport?
Take route 15 from Rolla Terminal — it runs via University City Road and University City straight to the airport, for the standard city fare of AED 6 by Sayer card or AED 8 in cash. The route 99 also calls at Rolla Square, but it starts at Al Jubail, so board the 15 here if you want the terminal departure.
How do I get from Rolla to Muweilah and University City?
Take the 14X express from Rolla to Muweilah Bus Station — every 16–26 minutes via King Faisal Street and Maliha Road — or the slower all-stops route 3 to Safari Mall. Route 15 also passes University City on its way to the airport. All three charge AED 6 by Sayer card or AED 8 in cash.
Can I pay with a Nol card at Rolla Bus Station?
No. Every bus from Rolla is an SRTA bus, including the 308 to Dubai, and SRTA buses do not accept Nol. Pay with Sharjah’s Sayer card (AED 6 on city routes) or cash (AED 8). Nol only works on Dubai’s RTA buses, such as the E-routes at Al Jubail.
What time is the first and last bus from Rolla Bus Station?
The station wakes early: the first city departures leave around 6:00–6:10 AM — the 88 from about 6:00 AM, the 3 from about 6:05 AM and the 1 and 15 from about 6:10 AM. Last buses run to around 10:00–11:00 PM depending on the route, with route 1 to Sahara Centre the latest, at about 11:00 PM. Check your route with SRTA before travelling, as Friday and holiday patterns differ.
Is Rolla Bus Station the same as Al Jubail Bus Station?
No — they are two different terminals a few minutes apart in old Sharjah. Rolla is the historic city-bus terminal around Rolla Square; Al Jubail is the intercity terminal for Dubai E-routes and SRTA buses to the other emirates. The F7 feeder and routes 1, 3 and 14X link the two, so changing between them is easy.
Related Routes
- Muweilah Bus Station Sharjah: Routes & Timings
- Al Jubail Bus Station Sharjah: Routes & Timings
- Ibn Battuta Bus Station: Routes to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah & City Buses
Daniyal Sheikh
Transport Editor, UAE Travel Hub
Dubai daily commuter covering the Metro, Nol cards, RTA buses and intercity routes across all seven emirates — every fare and timing checked against official RTA, ITC and SRTA sources.